A report released recently by the Electricity and Energy Ministry's central security administration has revealed serious problems and fire hazards at a number of facilities affiliated with the Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority (EAEA). After reviewing the report, Minister of Electricity and Energy Hassan Younis expressed his dissatisfaction and ordered that the problems be immediately fixed. Al-Masry Al-Youm has obtained a number of photos revealing the neglected conditions--which include antiquated street lamps and cracked walls--at several EAEA buildings. The report also revealed problems with the electronic security system, electric wiring and kitchenettes at the authority's General Secretariat building. Flaws were also discovered in the central control system, the central monitoring system, surveillance cameras, security X-ray machines, metal detectors, fire alarms and the building's central alarm system. The report, which was prepared following an inspection of EAEA facilities, also revealed that the main building's rooftop was being used to store wood, old chairs, steel and glass. Similar items were found stored behind the building, hindering access to nearby fire hydrants. Additional safety violations were also found in the room used to control the first floor's air conditioning system, including broken windows and assorted clutter. The report stressed the necessity of equipping the building with smoke alarms and automatic fire sprinklers, further calling for the formation of an independent civil safety committee to establish a fire and civil-safety plan for the evacuation of all EAEA buildings. The report called for the committee to be comprised of one person from each building to be responsible for ensuring that each building was equipped with fire extinguishing equipment and for drawing up an emergency evacuation plan. The committee, the report concluded, should be required to follow the safety guidelines laid down by the Council of Ministers' state facility security committee. Translated from the Arabic Edition.
